Play it Again Sam

At this point I feel like I’m a broken record.  This week held the same major issues as last week for me.  Phyllis is being a shrew who couldn’t care less about Lucy, only what Phyllis wants and Kay is being a raging hypocrite.  She’s also a nasty little wench to boot with her treatment of the Abbott family – especially Ashley.  So instead of going into that, lets discuss character vs. plot driven storytelling.  Y&R is known for its character driven stories.  Define your core characters and drop them into varying situations.  Regardless of the situation, certain character traits or values if you will, always shine through.  For instance, Nikki Newman is many things, but above all else she is a devoted mother.  Or Neil Winters, team player and family man.  Kay Chancellor, tough business woman who is an excellent judge of character and giver of second, third, etc. chances.  At least until character was sacrificed for plot.

With plot driven story characters “personalities” change to fit the current circumstances.  Ethan Cane Ashby’s character is an excellent example of this.  His story has been written and rewritten at least what feels like a dozen times since he began.  First he’s the real Philip Chancellor II, then he’s orphan Cane on the run from cattle ranchers, but wait, then he’s family-having, ex bad cattle rancher whistle blower.  Now he’s an evil twin having, devoted husband and dad.  Ugh… Well WHICH is it?  Oh that’s right, it’s whichever fits the current storyline.

What makes plot driven story so frustrating in a serial industry such as soap operas is that it assumes the viewer is stupid and willing to buy whatever you’re selling.  We are just supposed to take whatever they give us and love it.  I just can’t do it.  Kay Chancellor just wouldn’t be this harsh with Ashley.  She would wait to hear the facts before passing judgment.  She also would have worked harder on her relationship with Tucker before he was incapacitated.  She would have either accepted him for who he was spots and all or she would have cut him off.  Just look at how she accepts Victor regardless of what he’s done.  Even with a newer character like Tucker, who believes he would have left McCall Unlimited to Kay?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Arghh… it’s just SO frustrating.  I’ve watched this show for over twenty-five years and I KNOW these characters.  I want them to behave like the people I’ve I’ve known for a huge chunk of that time.  Are you listening Maria Bell?

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